Windshield cleaner



June 9, 1931.

w. VAN GUILDER WINDSHIELD CLEANER Filed Dec'. 3, 1928 I lllillllilllllllllllllflll E7/Vengo? WCZeZ Patented June 9,1931'L PATENT OFFICE.

WALTER. VAN G UILDER, oF

PORATION, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, A CORPORATION OF VIRGINIA WINDSHIELD GLEANER Application filed. December 3, 1928. Serial No. 323,334.'

The purpose of this invention is to Yprovide an improved construction in va windshield wiper of a type which is operated by the alternation ofl suction and atmospheric pressure, the specific object of the improvement being to utilize the suction by which the wiper-actuating mechanism is operated for pressing the wiper in wiping contact withtlie windshield, so that the pressure for such contact will be relieved proportionately to the reduction ofthe suction by which lthe operating mechanism is actuated. It consists in the elements and features of construction shownanddescribed as indicated in the claims,

In the drawings Figure l isa rear View of a device embodying the invention.

Figure 2 is aV front View of the same with certain parts omitted. f

Figure 3 is a detailv section at thel line 3 3 on Figure 2.-

vFigure 4 is a fragmentary enlarged section similar to Figure 3 in operative posi'- ti'on.

Figure ure 3 showing a modification.

vIt is a frequent occurrence inthe operation of windshield wipers of the type in which the wiper.v is vibrated over the windshield glassby mechanismwhich is'operated by the engine suction, that when the engine suction is low, causing the wiper-operating mechanism to be weakly actuated, the friction ofthe wiper on the glass cannot be overcome by vhe actuating mechanism, and the wiper accordingly ceases to operate.y

The present invention is designed to overcome this defect vin this type of windshield wipers by relieving the pressure of the Wiper on reduction of thesuction by which the mechanism is actuated. The preferred expedient for obtaining this resultconsists in vutilizing the suction as substantially the sole means'of pressing 'the wiper against vthe glass, so that thev pressure will be at all times proportionate tothe suction and will consequently by substantially zero when the suction 1s cut off.

5 is a detail section similar to Figthe glass correspondinglyfto the,

vscoped member, and suitably packing the slide bearings 'of The drawings may be understood as showing a conventional type of windshield wiper having itsy supporting structure mounted on the upper frame bar, A, of the windshield, the details of the operating mechanism being only conventionally and partly shown,

CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, ASSIG-NOR T O STEWART-WARNER COR- but comprising 'a reciprocating member indicated` by the piston, 20, which is connected in any suitable manuele-'suggested by a rack bar, 21, engaging a pinion, 22,-for operating a rock shaft, 23, which protrudes from the supporting structure, and at the forwardly protruding end in front of the windshield, carries a leverv arm, 24, to whose free end there is connected the wiper, 25, having the customary flexible lip, 26, for pressing upon and moving overvthevwindshield in the wiping operation, said wiper being suitably connected to the lever arm to enable it to accommodate the wiping lip to the plane of the-windshield surface` to be wiped.

For the purpose of the present invention, the rock shaft, 23, is tubular, being open at the forward end which protrudes fromthe bearing of the rock shaft in the supporting structure, shown at 28, and at the opposite end of the rock shaft, where it protrudes rearwardly from the supporting behind the windshield frame bar, A, its tubular cavity is connected with the source of suction -by which the rock shaft operating mechanismV is operated, said connection being indicated by a 'tubular terminal, 31,

which is fitted snugly in the tubular cavity anism derives suction from thesource of -Qbji suction. A

At the forward protruding'end of the rock shaft, it is telescoped within a sleeve cap member, closed; and said sleeve cap, telescoped outside of the tubular vrock shaft,'is^rendered fluid-tight by the telescoping bearings 4by a suitable packing, indicated at 35. It will bev understood that by making the outer tele- 29, closed at its forward end,

29,- whose forward end= is `ly against the reaction of the spring,

.tend through and convenient means, as the end of the tube, 8l,

which may be utilized for this purpose, said spring being stopped at vthe opposite end on `the closed end ofthe cap, so that the spring reacts for holdin@ the sleeve extended to the position shown in Figure 2. And

the forward protrusion of the rock shaft and outer `telescopiiig cap sleeve, 29, is made sufficient to cause the lever arm, 24, carried at the forward end of the cap sleeve, to hold the wiper` 25, withdrawn forwardly from the windshield at t-he normal 'position of the parts under the normal spring, 35. n But it will be seen that when the structure is connected with a sourcevof suctionA forv operating the rock-shaft-actuatingmechanism, the suction obtaining access to the cavity of the tubular outer telescoped cap sleeve, 29, producing a condition of partial vacuum in the vacuum chamber described, the cap sleeve, 29, will be forced by atmospheric pressure rearwardbringing the wiper, 25, into operative con-7 tact with the windshield for the wiping a'ction which will be simultaneously caused by the operation of the vacuum-operated mechn anism for rocking the rock shaft.

Certain preferential,details-of the constmiction may require mention. Vhile the tube, 3l, is intended to be snugly fitted in theV tubular rock shaft, it should not be so tightly fitted as to present itsr ready removal, and accordingly, forholding it safely in operative position in the tubular rock shaft, and in position for constituting the stop for the inner end ofthe spring, 35, there is provided a retaining pin, 36, which is set in through thel Iwall of the vtubular rock shaft .for engaging the' tube, A3l, near the end ofthe latter. ,This pin is also Yutilized for guiding the outer telescoping cap sleeve, 29, in its telescopic movement along the rock shaft and for checking the forward movement of said cap sleeve under the reactionv of the spring, 35, this functionbeing obtained from said pin by causing itto eX- slot,'29, in the sleeve, 29the length of said slot being made to correspondre the telescoping movement of the sleeve, .29, under the operation of the suction and reaction of the spring,l 35.

reaction of the roel;l shaft and- Ascoping' ring member is mounted, and by its telescopengage a longitudinal` In the modification shown in Figure 5, the lever arm, 24x, is hingedly secured to a stud, 23X, which is extended forwardly from the rock shaft, 23, and protrudes out through a stuiiing box formed by a leather washer, 40, in the head of the cap sleeve, 29X; and the wiper, 25, is arranged to be brought against the windshield glass by a rearward pivotal swinging movement of the lever arm instead of by its bodily movement vas in the first described form. This rearward swinging movement is transmitted to the lever arm from the rearward movement of the telescoped cap sleeve through the medium of a stretched spring, 41, secured at one end to the telescoped` sleeve and at the other end to the lever arm at a` short distance from its hinged end. Preferably, for adjusting the tensionk of the spring, its securement tothe cap vsleeve is made by a collar, 42, mounted slidably on the outside of the cap sleeve, the

spring being attached to the collar, andv a set` screw, 43, being provided for securing the collar at adjustedposition along the lengthv o f the sleeve,

I claim:`

l. In a `windshield wiper arranged to be. operated` by engine suction for giving the wiper its wiping movement over'fthe windshield, a wiper mounted for being withdrawably pressed against the windshield; suctionoperated means for pressing thenwiper against the windshieldA consisting of two parts, one of which is telescoped Within the other, the inner-telescoping one ofsaid parts.

being tubular and; having .the connection with the suction conduit; whereby its cavity becomes a vacuum chamber, .the outer tele-- part being that upon which the wiping movement due to suction operating for pressing the wiper against the windshield.

2. In a windshield wiper arranged to be operated by. engine suctionfor giving the wiper its wiping movement over the wind- 2L shield, a wiper mounted for being withdrawably pressed against the windshield; suctionoperated means :for pressing the wiper against thewindshieldj comprising two telescopingtubular parts withthecavity of the innerof which the, connection from the suctionconduit is made,ione of said telescoping*` parts constituting the mount for. carrying the 'wiper member. Y

3. In a construction for thefpurpose indicated, an operating mechanism arranged to be operated by suctionand conduit leading from4 a'source ofysuction; a rock shaft connectedvfor deriving-its rocking movement fromV saidmechanism, said rock shaft consisting of two members, at least one` of which is` tubular,vl said membersl being formed and assembled` for relative sliding of one within the other andenclosing a4 chamber which is enlarged andjreduced by` said comprising arelative sliding movement, one of said members being provided with means for connecting said chamber with the conduit leading to the suction-actuated mechanism, a lever arm carried by the sliding rock shaft member and a wiper carried by said lever arm.

4. In a device for the purpose indicated in combination with a rock shaft, a support in which it is journaled for rocking movement, and means for rocking it; a telescoping member at one end of the rock shaft, a lever arm carried by said telescoping member', and a wiper at the free end of the lever arm, a spring reacting longitudinally of the rock shaft between the same andthe telescoping member for stressing the latter' limitedlyr outwardly along the shaft, the shaft being hollow and the telescoping' member being adapted to close the cavity of the shaft at the end at which said member is telescoped with the shaft, whereby said cavity constitutes a vacuum chamber; means connecting said vacuum chamber with the source of suc tion; suction-operated means for rocking the shaft, said means being connected for operaf tion with the same source of suction as the Vacuum chamber.

5. In the construction defined in'claim 3, the lever-carrying element being telescoped outside the hollow rock shaft, whereby its cavity constitutes part of the vacuum chamber, and being closed at the outer end for completing the enclosure of the vacuum chamber.

6. In a construction' for the purpose indicated, an operating mechanism arranged to be operated by suction and comprising a conduit leading from a source of suction; a two-part krockingly mounted element connected for deriving rocking movement of both its parts from said mechanism, said element comprising a hollow member having its cavity connected with a source of suction, and a part substantially closing the end of said hollow member movable longitudinally of said hollow member vresponsively to the suction; a spring reacting on said part in opposition to the suction; a lever arm carried by said suction-and-spring-actuated part, and a wiper carried by said lever arm.

7. In the construction defined in claim 6, the lcver-arm-carrying telescoping member being telescoped outside the hollow member, the spring reacting between said telescoping members and being locatedinteriorly of both said members.

8. The construction defined in claim 6, the longitudinally movable part of the rockpivotally connected to the protruding end of f said extension, a collar adjustable longitudinally of the rocking element, and a spring stretched for reacting between the collar and the lever arm for stressingthe lever and the wiper carried thereby toward the windshield. Y

. 10. A windshield wiper comprising a supporting structure arranged for mounting on the windshield frame; a rock shaft journaled in said supporting structure and protruding forwardly, comprising members including a telescoping member at the protruding end of the rock shaft; a wiper arm carried by one of said rock shaft members and operatively connected with the telescoping member for movement thereby toward and from the windshield, and a wiper carried at the free end of said arm; suction-operatedmeans for rocking the rock shaft, said rock shaft being hollow, its cavity at the protruding end being closed by its telescoping member; connections from the same source of suction to the rock shaft operating means and to the rock shaft cavity; a spring reacting on the telescoping member for holding the same normally projected forwardly, the rock shaft and the telescoping member having their mutualV bearings for telescoping fitted to each other for piston-wise operation upon access of suction to the rock shaft cavity: and means for simultaneously controlling the access of suction to the rock-shaft-actur ating mechanism and to the rock shaft cavity; whereby when tlie roclr sha ft is actuated for its rocking movement the wiper at the free end of the wiper-carrying arm is pressed toward the windshield, and is with drawn therefrom when the rock-shaft-oper ating mechanism is stopped by the interrupH` tion of the suction.

In testimony whereof, I have 'hereunto set my hand at'Chicago, Illinois, this 30th day of November, 1928.

VALTER VAN GUILDER.

ing element being telescoped outside the other part thereof and having afclosed end. said other part having an extension protruding through said closed end, and the lever arm being pivotally connected to the protruding end of said extension, and a spring reacting between the lever arm and 

